Acts 7:55-60
Stephen’s vision and his stoning
*Tune in The people will perish / A vision strong (Whelan) Anthemic rock song about being strong in vision and courage, including an optional verse about women's empowerment - "the victims of oppression call to us to sing their song". Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting. An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
*Iona (Many & Great, There is One Among Us) /MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroons) I love having an excuse to sing this simple song from the Cameroons. Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries you are praying for in your intercessions. Good for kids. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample (search for Stand Firm)
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
*TiS 611 / AHB 543 / NCH436 / UMH577 / VU686 / LBW415 / ELW705 / HPP456 / HPSS420 / CP577 / CP(E) 448 / W&R569 / Cha464 God of Grace and God of Glory (Fosdick) A song about being courageous and wise. There are many possible tunes and many sets of words to this hymn. NCH has the most inclusive words, but TiS and AHB are okay too. They don’t hold back in verse 3. Chorus is “Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage, for the facing of this hour”. Don’t know about everyone else, but I know best the tune AHB 543 (ii).
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
God as refuge and redeemer
GC42 Abba Abba I Put My Life in Your Hands / Pongo mi Vida (Haas) Spanish and English lyrics for this simple version of Psalm 31. Sheet music and lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS 19 / Iona (PPP&P) / ATOK 339 In you O Lord I found refuge (Bell) A simple cantor and response Psalm. Really brief sound sample.
URW256 Make your face to shine upon your servant (Wilkey) Spoken responsive psalm with refrains. It is not really simple, but worth working on.
Ps Project Into Your Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very very very very simple chant. Lyrics and sound sample (you need to choose the song you want).
*CP517 / W&R503 O God your constant care and love (Lanier) Quite good words about God's presence with us through our lives. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and tune sample.
*CH393 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (Bonhoeffer) Excellent words of our need for God, God's suffering, and God's generosity. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and a number of translations. I much prefer the Church Hymnary version to the translations in TiS240 and AHB182.
CH725 Today I live one day shall come my death An unusual theme remarking on the inevitability of death and that we have no need to fear it. Lovely tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*TiS 682 / ATW 490 / GA236 / AA151 When human voices cannot sing (Murray) Lovely words of healing in the face of grief. I prefer this sung to ST COLUMBA, which is the tune in GA and TiS. Lyrics (loads a word document)
StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 You Are All We Have (O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different sound sample.
*AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (Bell) Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song could be used as a Psalm response I think.
*TiS 178 / G(II)335 / GC478 / GC(II)487 Praise the God who changes places I like the joy of the tune written by William Rowan (BOE) for this song. Lyrics and sign language here (scroll to the bottom for the lyrics). Sample here, to a different tune.
*TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics here (search for "come as you are"). Slow and mushy sound sample. I'm trying to track down a USA distributor for this song, but no luck yet.
**Iona / CH788 / MV104 Know that God is Good / Mungu ni mwema (Traditional Congo) This traditional African refrain is just lots of fun and very simple to sing. Good for kids and adults! Sound sample (a bit "white", but it gives you an idea).
*Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well (Brown) “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*MV092 Like a Rock (Good) A lovely simple song (with actions!) from Linnea Good. Great for kids.
*Tune in The God that I Know (Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. “He comes with his arms open wide, a sheltering place I can hide”. If this is not familiar to your congregation it would be a good song for a soloist. Sound sample, sheet music sample and songbook.
*VU789 / Cha738 A mighty fortress is our God (Response) (Luther) Responsive psalm with sung refrain of the first line of "A mighty fortress".
*TiS 754 / HPP457 / Cha554 You are my hiding-place (Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Sound sample and lyrics.
1 Peter 2:2-10
Taste that the Lord is good, living stones, christ the foundation, God's people
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
*NCH371 God creation's great designer (Parker Huber) Excellent words, particularly if you worship in an older church building, or have an anniversary to celebrate. Sung to a well-known tune (Holy Manna). Lyrics.
*NCH387 / HPSS443 / GC(II)646 / CP524 O christ the great foundation (Lew) Excellent words of salvation and justice from Timothy Tingfang Lew, sung to the tune of "The church's one foundation" (AURELIA). There is a second possible tune (ABREU), which is more challenging. Lyrics, and both tunes can be viewed and listened to here (search for "Foundation"). Note that the lyrics in the NCH are slightly different, and more inclusive.
TiS 457 / AHB 385 / NCH386 / CH739 / UMH545 / VU331 / LBW369 / ELW654 / HPP484 / HPSS442 / GC661 / CP525 The Church's one foundation (AURELIA) This is my least favourite hymn in all the world, but I have listed it so you know that alternative lyrics are available that don’t have that image of bride and groom that really annoys me. Maybe it’s just me, anyway. The lyrics I prefer to sing are in NCH386. But really, I like “O Christ the great foundation” (above), much better.
*TiS 636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / URW076 / 82Hml-536 God has spoken to his people alleluia (Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for God. VU and WoV have gender inclusive language for God: "God has spoken to the people… and those words are / God has spoken words of wisdom". WoV also has the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah ora hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" and would be great to sing; and it's the original words!
*NCH70 / UMH660 / VU389 / WoV719 / ELW526 / HPP486 / HPSS461 / GC741 / GC(II)737 / CP(E) 301 / W&R1 / Cha280 God is here as we your people (Pratt Green). Great lyrics, but not inclusive in all sources. It's sung to the familiar tune ABBOT'S LEIGH. Sound sample and less inclusive lyrics.
*TiS 578 / AHB 491 / NCH407 / UMH529 / VU659 / LBW507 / ELW796 / HPP248 / HPPS361 / GC606 / GC(II)587 How firm a foundation The lyrics of almost all these versions is quite masculine. NCH has good alternative lyrics that are inclusive. “When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of woe thall not over you flow. For I will be with you, your troubles to bless, delivering you from your deepest distress”.
NCH454 / UMH402 / HPP323 / HPSS372 / W&R457 / Cha589 Lord I want to be a Christian This repetitious old song could be quite good, I think. Is it hackneyed? Maybe not for our congregation. Lyrics and warbly sound sample.
*GC(II)644 / W&R577 / SP167 Summoned by the God who made us / Sing a New Church (Dufner) Excellent words of Christian unity and justice to the well-known tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Would be a good final hymn. Lyrics and sheet music here.
*TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song.
*TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace (Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding through it; maybe split the singing into male/female or different sides of the congregation. Lyrics.
*TiS 669 / GGives2 Well Jesus is the rock (Dyson) Fun song for kids. Lyrics, melody line and chords.
*?HiOS70 I'm a living stone I don't have my books with me, so can't tell you if I love this song or not, but it probably fitts the theme.
*Iona (LFB) Unsure when what was bright turns dark / Stumbling blocks and stepping stones (Iona) Doubt, suffering, healing of relationships. Very powerful lyrics. Tune is MARY MORRISON, but can also be sung to YE BANKS AND BRAES.
SP&P115 We are all God's chosen people (Nix) Again, I don't have my books with me, so can't say anything about it - I will check when I'm back home.
John 14:1-14
In my father’s house there are many dwelling places – Christ going to prepare a place for us. I am the way… exclusiveness of the gospel, the unity of Christ and the Father.
*Worldmaking.net Brother Jesus right beside me (Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a great rock song, good for little kids and a favourite of much older kids too. We haven't sung this for a couple of years, and it would be good to do it again. Lyrics and a very silly sound sample that does no justice to the song at all.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting. An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
AoV2-089 / Taize / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Berthier) A good, simple Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though).
*ATW 494 For you deep stillness Mann/Perrin. This homegrown favourite is just excellent. Lyrics and mp3 sample. Might be nice to sing this at the end of the service.
*TiS 387 / CH416 / UMH318 / VU158 / LBW363 / ELW389 / RS601 / CP(E) 140 / W&R312 / 82Hml-182 Christ is alive Let Christians sing (Wren) Excellent words of Christ's saving, and still relevant grace. A couple of tunes are offered in different hymn books. I prefer TRURO. Lyrics and sound sample.
*TiS 687 God gives us a future (Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future, daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life starts now!". Lyrics here (scroll down). Notice how the hymn has been split into to two parts to include the blessing and words of mission.
*TiS 636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / URW076 / 82Hml-536 God has spoken to his people alleluia (Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for God. VU and WoV have gender inclusive language for God: "God has spoken to the people… and those words are / God has spoken words of wisdom". WoV also has the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah ora hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" and would be great to sing; and it's the original words!
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
*AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 Behold behold I Make All Things New (Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
*TiS 536 / AHB 453 / VU130 / HPSS094 / W&R275 / Cha385 An upper room did our Lord prepare (O Waly Waly) I really love this song; while it fits Maundy Thursday, it is also good for other Sundays during the year. For BUC people: I know a 7 year old recorder player who might join the musicians for this song. For non-BUC people, this is a really easy tune to play on recorder. No end there is! We depart in peace, He loves beyond the uttermost, in every room in our Father’s / Maker’s house, he will be there as Lord and host” Lyrics.
CH344 / FFS01 / W&R635 / And Jesus said (Murray) Great words. Tune is a bit tricky.
VU283 / AA047 God is the One whom we seek together (Gibson) Simple song. Tune is a little tricky.
*NCH072 / UMH552 / VU362 / ELW530 / PH465 / CP534 / W&R597 / Cha278 Here O Lord Your Servants Gather / Sekai no Tomo (Yamaguchi) Beautiful song about being a community of faith seeking strength and courage. Lovely simple Japanese tune. Sound sample and lyrics.
W&R104 / URW102 Hidden Christ Alive for Ever (Wren) Wonderful and inspiring words of Christ in all things. Can be sung to HYFRYDOL or HOLY MANNA, so would be easily sung by most congregations. A good song for just after the sermon. Lyrics in this article (downloads a pdf) - search for "orbits" to find the lyrics.
TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us every mind and heart prepare (Elizabeth Smith) Great words of evangelism and justice to a simple lilting melody. If you think your congregation can't cope with a new tune this week, it can be sung to AUSTRIA (TiS 93).
GA527 / G(II)540 / GC745 / GC(II)730 Jesus Christ Yesterday Today and Forever (Toolan) A very simple refrain in English and Spanish, and multilingual cantor parts. That's fun! Works well without the cantor part too. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*Taize / TiS 739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / G(II)451 / GC639 / GC(II)626 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Berthier) Excellent and quite well known Taize chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations.
*TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / HPP203 / HPSS122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating. A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune.
*Recorded Music One Road to Freedom (Ben Harper) "Do you know which road you're travelling? Do you know where you want to be? With so many roads to travel, there's just one can set you free". A good song to help people think about what it means for there to be only one way to God. Don't forget that if you are playing recorded music to your congregation, it's a good idea to have the lyrics printed out or projected. Lyrics. Sound sample on a youtube video.
Exclusive BUC code: *, we've sung it in the last 5 years; *, we haven't, but it suits us well.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Songs and Hymns for Easter 4A (May 15, 2011)
Acts 2:42-47
Life of the early church: sharing food and money, worshipping and growing daily
*Tune In: Hail the fisherfolk (Brown) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: Kingdom Come (Lees) A song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of words and good images including "when forced to carry one mile, go two" Sound sample and lyrics
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. Not simple, but catchy once you have it nailed. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
*TiS 711 / ATOK 334 / Iona (M&G) / VU383 / SFFS 2124 / G(II)330 Come O Holy Spirit / Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Nigeria) This song is just fun. And very easy. Please try to sing it in its original language (Yoruba), it sounds a bit inane in English and it’s not hard!! Encourage your congregation to dance a simple side-to-side step to this; they will enjoy it even more. A good song to help us remember that our faith is global, and to think of the church and all people in Africa. There is a sample here (it's very white, and mostly in English, but it's all I could find!). I have been thinking lately that this song would be really cool sung with more of a "highlife" sensibility, like Nigerian pop music.
*TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune.
*TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace (Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding through it; maybe split the singing into male/female or different sides of the congregation. Lyrics.
*NCH70 / UMH660 / VU389 / WoV719 / ELW526 / HPP486 / HPSS461 / GC741 / GC(II)737 / CP(E) 301 / W&R1 / Cha280 God is here as we your people (Pratt Green). Great lyrics, but not inclusive in all sources. It's sung to the familiar tune ABBOT'S LEIGH. Sound sample and less inclusive lyrics.
*TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 There's a Spirit in the Air (Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Sheet music sample. Keyboard sound sample.
*AoV1-130 / NCH444 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love A classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Lyrics and chords here.
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you (Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics.
*Iona (HSNW) Shake up the morning (Iona) Not a very easy song, but good to sing if familiar to you. Lyrics (scroll down).
*TiS 511 / AHB 433 / AoV2-098 / NCH330 / UMH618 / VU480 / LBW212 / ELW471 / HPP524 / HPSS513 / GC832 / GC(II)832 / W&R699 / Cha425 / 82Hml-325 Let us break bread together on our knees / with the Lord (Trad/US Folk) A good one for people to join in on without needing to look at lyric sheets or projections if you are celebrating communion this week.
HPP447 / CP304 / W&R687 All Things Are Yours (Leech) A good hymn for the congregation to sing during the offering, if that is your habit. Sung to the tune GERMANY. Lyrics. Sheet music for tune.
*W&R704 / URW130 We Meet as Friends at Table (Wren) Excellent words of community. Sung to a familiar tune (MERLE'S TUNE). This hymn could be sung partly before distribution and sing the final two verses after communion. "With food and drink for sharing the table soon is spread, the freedom-meal of Jesus is crowned with wine and bread, and all, without exception, may eat, and speak, and stay, for this is Christ's own table, where none is turned away."
*VU456 / AA100 / HPSS515 Now to your table spread (Murray) A communion hymn that recognises global faith and global responsibility. Sung to the familiar tune LOVE UNKNOWN
WoV755 / ELW576 / SFFS 2243 / PH435 / W&R552 / ZSS99 We all are one in mission (Edwards / Finnish Folk Melody) Good solid words to a well known hymn tune (KUORTANE). Lyrics. Can also be sung to AURELIA (The Church's one foundation).
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd. Again.
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here.
*Tune In: The God that I know. A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Lyrics and sample available here.
*NCYC2007 Lead me on (Gioia) A pretty cool gospel rock song from the NCYC before last.
*TiS 10 / AHB 16 / AoV1-144 / NCH479 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH14/16 / UMH136 / VU747/8 / StS099 / LBW451 / ELW778 / GA473 / HPP55 / HPSS170 / CP519 / CP(E) 594 / W&R86 / Cha0789 / Srce662 The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want / God is my shepherd It's not inclusive, but I think it's more than a sentimental favourite. Good to sing to a different tune every now and then, e.g. Brother James' Air. NCH, VU and Chalice all have an inclusive language version. You know, we've only sung this twice at Brunswick in the last 5 years.
*Recorded Music 23rd Psalm (Bobby McFerrin) A beautiful feminine rendering of the Psalm. From the album Medicine Man. Listen to it here on Youtube. Gave people some challenging images of God last year when we played it. If you'd like to sing it, it's also in the Unitarian Universalist book "Singing the Journey" and "Music for Liturgy" from St. Gregory of Nyssa.
*Recorded music I am your true shepherd (Meet me in the middle of the air) - Paul Kelly. A beautiful song mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics are here. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway".
*ATN 84 / NCH490 / CH539 / UMH521 / LBW660 / WoV660 / ELW325 / HPP433 / HPSS363 / CP512 / W&R506 / Cha627 / ZSS69 / URW110 I want Jesus to walk with me An excellent simple song. There are also many good recordings of this song. A few years ago we listened to an Eric Bibb recording of this song (from his album Roadworks) during the distribution of communion. I think it worked very well.
TiS 233 / AHB 173 I will sing the wondrous story A good old fashioned sing (HYFRYDOL). Note that it uses masculine language for Christ, which may bother some. “I was lost but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray, raised me up and gently led me back into the narrow way”.
AoV1-033 / WoV690 / ELW423 / SFFS 2058 / G(II)29 / GC31 / GC(II)23 Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) A nice reworking of the 23rd Psalm. The chant could also be used on its own: “Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life”. Sheet music, lyrics and a fairly unhelpful sound sample here.
G(II)458 / GC654 / GC(II)628 With a Shepherd's Care (Chepponis) Very nice words with feminine and masculine images for God. Would be very straightforward to sing. Painfully slow sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*Taize / CP563 In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon Ame Se Repose (Berthier) A very beautiful chant from Taize. Music and sound samples for practice here.
FFS39 It all depends on where I'm going (Gibson) Good words of God's constant presence through all of life's travels, sung to a simple Celtic-style tune (TE HORO). Full music and lyrics here.
*CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre (Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. I would prefer to sing this to one of the more traditional melodies offered (Tune 1 in FFS) or BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*Cha734 (I) / URW244 My shepherd you supply my need and holy is your name Responsive psalm with sung refrain to the tune of the first line of Brother James' Air.
1 Peter 2:19-25
Suffering. Non-violence. Return to the shepherd (some of the suggestions for the Psalm will work here).
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
AA005 Aue te tu aroa (Kingston) Easy to sing Maori song. To be honest, I can't remember what the text means...
*TiS 595 / AHB 514 / NCH493 / CH644 / UMH396 / VU120 / LBW220 / ELW541 / HPP367 / PH388/389 / CP438 / CP(E) 538 / W&R458 / Cha612 / Srce516 O Jesus I have promised (Bode) Lots of different tunes. An oldy but a goody in most hymnals. Lyrics (scroll right down).
*MV091 Cradle me in your arms (Harding) A simple assuring chant in times of suffering. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. Purchase online.
*Iona (LFB) Unsure when what was bright turns dark / Stumbling blocks and stepping stones (Iona) Doubt, suffering, healing of relationships. Very powerful lyrics. Tune is MARY MORRISON, but can also be sung to YE BANKS AND BRAES.
*CH393 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (Bonhoeffer) Excellent words of our need for God, God's suffering, and God's generosity. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and a number of translations. I much prefer the Church Hymnary version to the translations in TiS240 and AHB182.
*Tune In: Save us in the time of trial (Whelan) Reflective Taize-style chorus and verses. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
*Tune In: Shepherd of the night (Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
John 10:1-10
Shepherd; Jesus as the gate. Above songs will probably also be suitable.
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.
*MV161 I have called you by your name (Damon) Commitment, confirmation, ordination, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads.
*CH355 / VU210 / SFFS 2102 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY or PICARDY. Hymnals vary with what they have for verse 2. I like this version (scroll down).
UMH581 / LBW423 / ELW712 / PH427 / GC681 / GC(II)668 / CP585 / W&R575 / Cha461 / URW204 / 82Hml-610 Lord whose love in humble service / Lord whose love through humble service (Bayly) A more formal hymn of seeing the need in the world and working to change it. It's set to familiar tunes IN BABILONE, BEACH SPRING
*TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ Jesus calls us here to meet him. Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics. 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion.
NCH252 / UMH381 / LBW481 / ELW534 / HPP431 / PH387 / W&R440 / Cha558 / Srce2-513 / 82Hml-708 Saviour like a shepherd lead us (Thrupp) An old hymn by Dorothy Thrupp. Final chorus has "Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still".
*ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 Take this moment, sign and space (Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
*NCH563 / MV143 / HPP260 / GC710 / GC(II)703 / RS 636 / Cha684 / URW169 We cannot own the sunlit sky / Abundant life (Duck) I like these words full of hope for the future. I would prefer to sing it to the tune of "How can I keep From singing". LA GRANGE is the other option.
TiS 227 / AHB 151 / NCH86 / UMH185 / VU339 / LBW546 / ELW853 / HPP60 / PH487 / CP002 / CP(E) 619 / W&R111 / Cha100 / Srce2-656 / URW184 When morning gilds the skies (German hymn) Good old words praising Christ. Lyrics and sound sample.
Life of the early church: sharing food and money, worshipping and growing daily
*Tune In: Hail the fisherfolk (Brown) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: Kingdom Come (Lees) A song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of words and good images including "when forced to carry one mile, go two" Sound sample and lyrics
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. Not simple, but catchy once you have it nailed. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
*TiS 711 / ATOK 334 / Iona (M&G) / VU383 / SFFS 2124 / G(II)330 Come O Holy Spirit / Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Nigeria) This song is just fun. And very easy. Please try to sing it in its original language (Yoruba), it sounds a bit inane in English and it’s not hard!! Encourage your congregation to dance a simple side-to-side step to this; they will enjoy it even more. A good song to help us remember that our faith is global, and to think of the church and all people in Africa. There is a sample here (it's very white, and mostly in English, but it's all I could find!). I have been thinking lately that this song would be really cool sung with more of a "highlife" sensibility, like Nigerian pop music.
*TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune.
*TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace (Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding through it; maybe split the singing into male/female or different sides of the congregation. Lyrics.
*NCH70 / UMH660 / VU389 / WoV719 / ELW526 / HPP486 / HPSS461 / GC741 / GC(II)737 / CP(E) 301 / W&R1 / Cha280 God is here as we your people (Pratt Green). Great lyrics, but not inclusive in all sources. It's sung to the familiar tune ABBOT'S LEIGH. Sound sample and less inclusive lyrics.
*TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 There's a Spirit in the Air (Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Sheet music sample. Keyboard sound sample.
*AoV1-130 / NCH444 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love A classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Lyrics and chords here.
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you (Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics.
*Iona (HSNW) Shake up the morning (Iona) Not a very easy song, but good to sing if familiar to you. Lyrics (scroll down).
*TiS 511 / AHB 433 / AoV2-098 / NCH330 / UMH618 / VU480 / LBW212 / ELW471 / HPP524 / HPSS513 / GC832 / GC(II)832 / W&R699 / Cha425 / 82Hml-325 Let us break bread together on our knees / with the Lord (Trad/US Folk) A good one for people to join in on without needing to look at lyric sheets or projections if you are celebrating communion this week.
HPP447 / CP304 / W&R687 All Things Are Yours (Leech) A good hymn for the congregation to sing during the offering, if that is your habit. Sung to the tune GERMANY. Lyrics. Sheet music for tune.
*W&R704 / URW130 We Meet as Friends at Table (Wren) Excellent words of community. Sung to a familiar tune (MERLE'S TUNE). This hymn could be sung partly before distribution and sing the final two verses after communion. "With food and drink for sharing the table soon is spread, the freedom-meal of Jesus is crowned with wine and bread, and all, without exception, may eat, and speak, and stay, for this is Christ's own table, where none is turned away."
*VU456 / AA100 / HPSS515 Now to your table spread (Murray) A communion hymn that recognises global faith and global responsibility. Sung to the familiar tune LOVE UNKNOWN
WoV755 / ELW576 / SFFS 2243 / PH435 / W&R552 / ZSS99 We all are one in mission (Edwards / Finnish Folk Melody) Good solid words to a well known hymn tune (KUORTANE). Lyrics. Can also be sung to AURELIA (The Church's one foundation).
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd. Again.
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here.
*Tune In: The God that I know. A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Lyrics and sample available here.
*NCYC2007 Lead me on (Gioia) A pretty cool gospel rock song from the NCYC before last.
*TiS 10 / AHB 16 / AoV1-144 / NCH479 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH14/16 / UMH136 / VU747/8 / StS099 / LBW451 / ELW778 / GA473 / HPP55 / HPSS170 / CP519 / CP(E) 594 / W&R86 / Cha0789 / Srce662 The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want / God is my shepherd It's not inclusive, but I think it's more than a sentimental favourite. Good to sing to a different tune every now and then, e.g. Brother James' Air. NCH, VU and Chalice all have an inclusive language version. You know, we've only sung this twice at Brunswick in the last 5 years.
*Recorded Music 23rd Psalm (Bobby McFerrin) A beautiful feminine rendering of the Psalm. From the album Medicine Man. Listen to it here on Youtube. Gave people some challenging images of God last year when we played it. If you'd like to sing it, it's also in the Unitarian Universalist book "Singing the Journey" and "Music for Liturgy" from St. Gregory of Nyssa.
*Recorded music I am your true shepherd (Meet me in the middle of the air) - Paul Kelly. A beautiful song mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics are here. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway".
*ATN 84 / NCH490 / CH539 / UMH521 / LBW660 / WoV660 / ELW325 / HPP433 / HPSS363 / CP512 / W&R506 / Cha627 / ZSS69 / URW110 I want Jesus to walk with me An excellent simple song. There are also many good recordings of this song. A few years ago we listened to an Eric Bibb recording of this song (from his album Roadworks) during the distribution of communion. I think it worked very well.
TiS 233 / AHB 173 I will sing the wondrous story A good old fashioned sing (HYFRYDOL). Note that it uses masculine language for Christ, which may bother some. “I was lost but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray, raised me up and gently led me back into the narrow way”.
AoV1-033 / WoV690 / ELW423 / SFFS 2058 / G(II)29 / GC31 / GC(II)23 Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) A nice reworking of the 23rd Psalm. The chant could also be used on its own: “Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life”. Sheet music, lyrics and a fairly unhelpful sound sample here.
G(II)458 / GC654 / GC(II)628 With a Shepherd's Care (Chepponis) Very nice words with feminine and masculine images for God. Would be very straightforward to sing. Painfully slow sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*Taize / CP563 In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon Ame Se Repose (Berthier) A very beautiful chant from Taize. Music and sound samples for practice here.
FFS39 It all depends on where I'm going (Gibson) Good words of God's constant presence through all of life's travels, sung to a simple Celtic-style tune (TE HORO). Full music and lyrics here.
*CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre (Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. I would prefer to sing this to one of the more traditional melodies offered (Tune 1 in FFS) or BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*Cha734 (I) / URW244 My shepherd you supply my need and holy is your name Responsive psalm with sung refrain to the tune of the first line of Brother James' Air.
1 Peter 2:19-25
Suffering. Non-violence. Return to the shepherd (some of the suggestions for the Psalm will work here).
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
AA005 Aue te tu aroa (Kingston) Easy to sing Maori song. To be honest, I can't remember what the text means...
*TiS 595 / AHB 514 / NCH493 / CH644 / UMH396 / VU120 / LBW220 / ELW541 / HPP367 / PH388/389 / CP438 / CP(E) 538 / W&R458 / Cha612 / Srce516 O Jesus I have promised (Bode) Lots of different tunes. An oldy but a goody in most hymnals. Lyrics (scroll right down).
*MV091 Cradle me in your arms (Harding) A simple assuring chant in times of suffering. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. Purchase online.
*Iona (LFB) Unsure when what was bright turns dark / Stumbling blocks and stepping stones (Iona) Doubt, suffering, healing of relationships. Very powerful lyrics. Tune is MARY MORRISON, but can also be sung to YE BANKS AND BRAES.
*CH393 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (Bonhoeffer) Excellent words of our need for God, God's suffering, and God's generosity. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and a number of translations. I much prefer the Church Hymnary version to the translations in TiS240 and AHB182.
*Tune In: Save us in the time of trial (Whelan) Reflective Taize-style chorus and verses. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
*Tune In: Shepherd of the night (Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
John 10:1-10
Shepherd; Jesus as the gate. Above songs will probably also be suitable.
*TIS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.
*MV161 I have called you by your name (Damon) Commitment, confirmation, ordination, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads.
*CH355 / VU210 / SFFS 2102 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY or PICARDY. Hymnals vary with what they have for verse 2. I like this version (scroll down).
UMH581 / LBW423 / ELW712 / PH427 / GC681 / GC(II)668 / CP585 / W&R575 / Cha461 / URW204 / 82Hml-610 Lord whose love in humble service / Lord whose love through humble service (Bayly) A more formal hymn of seeing the need in the world and working to change it. It's set to familiar tunes IN BABILONE, BEACH SPRING
*TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ Jesus calls us here to meet him. Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics. 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion.
NCH252 / UMH381 / LBW481 / ELW534 / HPP431 / PH387 / W&R440 / Cha558 / Srce2-513 / 82Hml-708 Saviour like a shepherd lead us (Thrupp) An old hymn by Dorothy Thrupp. Final chorus has "Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still".
*ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 Take this moment, sign and space (Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
*NCH563 / MV143 / HPP260 / GC710 / GC(II)703 / RS 636 / Cha684 / URW169 We cannot own the sunlit sky / Abundant life (Duck) I like these words full of hope for the future. I would prefer to sing it to the tune of "How can I keep From singing". LA GRANGE is the other option.
TiS 227 / AHB 151 / NCH86 / UMH185 / VU339 / LBW546 / ELW853 / HPP60 / PH487 / CP002 / CP(E) 619 / W&R111 / Cha100 / Srce2-656 / URW184 When morning gilds the skies (German hymn) Good old words praising Christ. Lyrics and sound sample.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Songs and Hymns for Easter 3A (May 8 2011)
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Paul's sermon: What’s the appropriate response to the resurrection? Repent and be baptised!
Note for BUC: This is a week after our own Pilgrimage to Living Water, so maybe a good time to think about water.
*MV135 Called by earth and sky (Mayberry) Gentle song about the blessings of water, air, soil and fire. While it doesn't explicitly mention baptism, it is really beautiful and would work well.
CH614 / AA043 / CP642 From the waiting comes the sign (Murray) Lovely haunting song. Lines 1, 3 and 5 may be sung by a cantor, with the congregation responding on the other repetitive lines. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 530 / AHB 450 / CH675 / UMH634 / VU483 / CP(E) 315 / W&R715 / SP220 Now let us From this table rise (Kaan) Good words to sing after communion. Hymnals vary to the extent that the language is inclusive. NCH and VU have gender-inclusive language for God. I prefer it to NIAGARA (in TiS and AHB) but other sources have different tunes. Lyrics, and an alternative tune.
*AoV1-074 Come To The Water (Andersen) I love the words to this, suitable for infant, child or adult baptism or any Sunday when you wish to reflect on baptism. Lyrics (scroll down to the comments page)
*TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Wren) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Thanksgiving
GC109 I Will Walk in the Presence of God (Daigle) A simple lilting refrain. Inclusive verses. This could maybe be used as a chant on its own. Sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
TiS 71 / VU617 / HPSS362 / G(II)97 / GC108 I will walk in the presence of the Lord (Proulx) A beautiful cantored Psalm. The refrain is very simple. Doesn’t make sense without the cantor. Nice that it picks up the walking idea from Emmaus too.
*TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant.
*Linnea Good Psalm 116 is particularly beautiful and simple “I love you God; I know you listen. You listened on the day I cried. When I called out to you in anguish, you were my presence and my guide”.
URW311 I love you Lord you hear my cry (Watts) A simple song wth two verses, or you could use it as a Psalm refrain with the text read by a leader. It would be pretty amazing if you can sing it in 4 parts, I reckon. The 2nd verse could be quite appropriate on its own during intercessions.
*TiS 709 Chuyo chuyo (Berthier) A Korean hymn, appropriate for an intercession response. Not hard for non-Koreans! means "Lord hear us"
TiS 137 / AHB 77 / AoV1-123 / NCH28 / CH181 / UMH92 / VU226 / LBW561 / ELW879 / GA427 / HPP259 / HPSS473 / GC572 / GC(II)548 / RS697 / CP429 / CP(E) 253 / W&R40 / Cha56 For the beauty of the earth (Pierpont) "Christ our God to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise". Sources vary in how inclusive this hymn is, so check. NCH is fully inclusive. The two most common tunes are probably DIX (TiS 314) and LUCERNA LAUDONIAE. I prefer DIX. Lyrics (including some more obscure verses) and tune samples here.
TiS 727 / ATE 208 / CH121 / VU745 / AA70 In the presence of your people (Chambers) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one.
*TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant. Works well during intercessions.
GC(II)755 O the weary world is trudging / The trumpet in the morning (Cooney) Song of release of prisoners and the trumpet's blast. Kind of weird sound sample. Sung to a sacred harp song (Morning Song).
NCH370 / W&R685 / URW127 What gift can we bring? A good offering song. Also good for a church anniversary. Lyrics.
1 Peter 1:17-23
Sacrificial lamb; now you are purified, love one another deeply. Being born anew.
TiS 427 / AHB 333 / CP561 / CP(E) 515 Lord your word abiding (Baker) Some use archaic language. Simple words and melody.
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer. An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Sound sample.
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
*AoV1-196 / GC171 / GC(II)152 / RS 329 Jesus, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) from Haugen’s Mass of Creation. My favourite “Jesus Lamb of God”, I think. Sheet music and sound sample.
*GC213 / GC(II)319 / RS 469 / URW414 Jesus Lamb of God from Joncas’ Psallite Mass. Okay, this one is my favourite too, but I think I like it twice the speed of the sample at Hymnprint.net. Sheet music and slow sound sample.
*Sing Alleluia Jesus Lamb of God This might be written by Betty Polkinghorne. A very melodic and lovely Agnus Dei. I’m quite sure this is in the Sing Alleluia book, but I’m not sure where else. This probably isn't very helpful, but I will try to track this song down.
GC(II)174 Jesus Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) (Proulx) A simple chant. Cantor and response. Sound sample (slow). Sheet music.
TiS 545 / Iona (LFB) / CH676 / VU482 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast. A very joyous communion song. Lyrics
Luke 24:13-35
Emmaus story.
*StS098 / GC(II)445 / URW123 On the Journey to Emmaus (Haugen) Excellent words to a very familiar tune (COLUMCILLE). Highly recommended. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
*BUC songs Now we see (Loukes) A good song by one of our own songwriters. This is not in Tune In as it was written more recently. It's not easy for the congregation, but would be good for the musicians to sing it to the congregation. Particularly appropriate if there is also communion, but will make sense without it.
*Worldmaking.net Brother Jesus right beside me (Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a great rock song, good for little kids and a favourite of much older kids too. We haven't sung this for a couple of years, and it would be good to do it again. Lyrics and a very silly sound sample that does no justice to the song at all.
*Tune In: God is walking in the garden (Brown) A gentle song perfect for Easter and just after it. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
HiOS2 A stranger met by chance (Barrell) Excellent words. The tune will probably need to be taught.
TiS 395 Alleluia Christ is risen (Taylor) Good words. Tune will need to be taught a bit at least.
FFS03 As we walk along beside you Excellent words or recognising Christ in the word, the bread, the resurrection. A simple tune.
Iona / VU184 As we walked home at close of day / Easter Evening (Iona) Good words and good tune.
Iona From heav'n to here and From here to heav'n (Iona) Good words to a traditional Irish tune. Great chorus "So come Lord Christ in the stranger's guise…" Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
The tide has turned songbook Jerusalem to Emmaus two people walked that day (Emmaus story) (Hannah) Great words. Not an easy congregational song, but worth some effort. Good for kids too.
*Unknown source (NCYC?) Peace will be with you my friends so do not be frightened (Dyson?) A lovely simple song. I know it's in our folders of photocopies at our church, but don't know the source of this song.
*Seeds of Faith Peace Be With You (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple kids song about peace, and sharing peace. Sound sample and lyrics.
*NCH249 / GA517 Peace I leave with you my friends (Norbert) Slow, simple and excellent words. A congregation will pick this up the first time through, I think.
FFS07 Bring peace to us (John Murray) A simple chant with two possible tunes. Both are good. The first is a round. "Bring peace to us, bring peace through us, O God bring peace"
Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Gifts that Last")
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
*AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace").
*CH786 May the God of peace go with us (Jamieson) A lovely benediction to a traditional Scottish tune. "May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place; may the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace".
Songtivity To Emmaus (Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is probably too tricky for congregation, but maybe musicians could sing it during offering or communion. Lyrics and sound sample.
*AoVK-144 / ATN 87 When the day has begun / Walkin’ down the road (Mann) Great song for kids about God being with us. Lyrics can be found here.
Paul's sermon: What’s the appropriate response to the resurrection? Repent and be baptised!
Note for BUC: This is a week after our own Pilgrimage to Living Water, so maybe a good time to think about water.
*MV135 Called by earth and sky (Mayberry) Gentle song about the blessings of water, air, soil and fire. While it doesn't explicitly mention baptism, it is really beautiful and would work well.
CH614 / AA043 / CP642 From the waiting comes the sign (Murray) Lovely haunting song. Lines 1, 3 and 5 may be sung by a cantor, with the congregation responding on the other repetitive lines. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 530 / AHB 450 / CH675 / UMH634 / VU483 / CP(E) 315 / W&R715 / SP220 Now let us From this table rise (Kaan) Good words to sing after communion. Hymnals vary to the extent that the language is inclusive. NCH and VU have gender-inclusive language for God. I prefer it to NIAGARA (in TiS and AHB) but other sources have different tunes. Lyrics, and an alternative tune.
*AoV1-074 Come To The Water (Andersen) I love the words to this, suitable for infant, child or adult baptism or any Sunday when you wish to reflect on baptism. Lyrics (scroll down to the comments page)
*TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Wren) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Thanksgiving
GC109 I Will Walk in the Presence of God (Daigle) A simple lilting refrain. Inclusive verses. This could maybe be used as a chant on its own. Sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
TiS 71 / VU617 / HPSS362 / G(II)97 / GC108 I will walk in the presence of the Lord (Proulx) A beautiful cantored Psalm. The refrain is very simple. Doesn’t make sense without the cantor. Nice that it picks up the walking idea from Emmaus too.
*TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant.
*Linnea Good Psalm 116 is particularly beautiful and simple “I love you God; I know you listen. You listened on the day I cried. When I called out to you in anguish, you were my presence and my guide”.
URW311 I love you Lord you hear my cry (Watts) A simple song wth two verses, or you could use it as a Psalm refrain with the text read by a leader. It would be pretty amazing if you can sing it in 4 parts, I reckon. The 2nd verse could be quite appropriate on its own during intercessions.
*TiS 709 Chuyo chuyo (Berthier) A Korean hymn, appropriate for an intercession response. Not hard for non-Koreans! means "Lord hear us"
TiS 137 / AHB 77 / AoV1-123 / NCH28 / CH181 / UMH92 / VU226 / LBW561 / ELW879 / GA427 / HPP259 / HPSS473 / GC572 / GC(II)548 / RS697 / CP429 / CP(E) 253 / W&R40 / Cha56 For the beauty of the earth (Pierpont) "Christ our God to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise". Sources vary in how inclusive this hymn is, so check. NCH is fully inclusive. The two most common tunes are probably DIX (TiS 314) and LUCERNA LAUDONIAE. I prefer DIX. Lyrics (including some more obscure verses) and tune samples here.
TiS 727 / ATE 208 / CH121 / VU745 / AA70 In the presence of your people (Chambers) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one.
*TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant. Works well during intercessions.
GC(II)755 O the weary world is trudging / The trumpet in the morning (Cooney) Song of release of prisoners and the trumpet's blast. Kind of weird sound sample. Sung to a sacred harp song (Morning Song).
NCH370 / W&R685 / URW127 What gift can we bring? A good offering song. Also good for a church anniversary. Lyrics.
1 Peter 1:17-23
Sacrificial lamb; now you are purified, love one another deeply. Being born anew.
TiS 427 / AHB 333 / CP561 / CP(E) 515 Lord your word abiding (Baker) Some use archaic language. Simple words and melody.
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer. An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Sound sample.
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
*AoV1-196 / GC171 / GC(II)152 / RS 329 Jesus, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) from Haugen’s Mass of Creation. My favourite “Jesus Lamb of God”, I think. Sheet music and sound sample.
*GC213 / GC(II)319 / RS 469 / URW414 Jesus Lamb of God from Joncas’ Psallite Mass. Okay, this one is my favourite too, but I think I like it twice the speed of the sample at Hymnprint.net. Sheet music and slow sound sample.
*Sing Alleluia Jesus Lamb of God This might be written by Betty Polkinghorne. A very melodic and lovely Agnus Dei. I’m quite sure this is in the Sing Alleluia book, but I’m not sure where else. This probably isn't very helpful, but I will try to track this song down.
GC(II)174 Jesus Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) (Proulx) A simple chant. Cantor and response. Sound sample (slow). Sheet music.
TiS 545 / Iona (LFB) / CH676 / VU482 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast. A very joyous communion song. Lyrics
Luke 24:13-35
Emmaus story.
*StS098 / GC(II)445 / URW123 On the Journey to Emmaus (Haugen) Excellent words to a very familiar tune (COLUMCILLE). Highly recommended. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
*BUC songs Now we see (Loukes) A good song by one of our own songwriters. This is not in Tune In as it was written more recently. It's not easy for the congregation, but would be good for the musicians to sing it to the congregation. Particularly appropriate if there is also communion, but will make sense without it.
*Worldmaking.net Brother Jesus right beside me (Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a great rock song, good for little kids and a favourite of much older kids too. We haven't sung this for a couple of years, and it would be good to do it again. Lyrics and a very silly sound sample that does no justice to the song at all.
*Tune In: God is walking in the garden (Brown) A gentle song perfect for Easter and just after it. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
HiOS2 A stranger met by chance (Barrell) Excellent words. The tune will probably need to be taught.
TiS 395 Alleluia Christ is risen (Taylor) Good words. Tune will need to be taught a bit at least.
FFS03 As we walk along beside you Excellent words or recognising Christ in the word, the bread, the resurrection. A simple tune.
Iona / VU184 As we walked home at close of day / Easter Evening (Iona) Good words and good tune.
Iona From heav'n to here and From here to heav'n (Iona) Good words to a traditional Irish tune. Great chorus "So come Lord Christ in the stranger's guise…" Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
The tide has turned songbook Jerusalem to Emmaus two people walked that day (Emmaus story) (Hannah) Great words. Not an easy congregational song, but worth some effort. Good for kids too.
*Unknown source (NCYC?) Peace will be with you my friends so do not be frightened (Dyson?) A lovely simple song. I know it's in our folders of photocopies at our church, but don't know the source of this song.
*Seeds of Faith Peace Be With You (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple kids song about peace, and sharing peace. Sound sample and lyrics.
*NCH249 / GA517 Peace I leave with you my friends (Norbert) Slow, simple and excellent words. A congregation will pick this up the first time through, I think.
FFS07 Bring peace to us (John Murray) A simple chant with two possible tunes. Both are good. The first is a round. "Bring peace to us, bring peace through us, O God bring peace"
Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Gifts that Last")
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
*AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace").
*CH786 May the God of peace go with us (Jamieson) A lovely benediction to a traditional Scottish tune. "May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place; may the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace".
Songtivity To Emmaus (Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is probably too tricky for congregation, but maybe musicians could sing it during offering or communion. Lyrics and sound sample.
*AoVK-144 / ATN 87 When the day has begun / Walkin’ down the road (Mann) Great song for kids about God being with us. Lyrics can be found here.
Hymns and Songs for Passion Sunday (April 17, 2011)
Isaiah 50:4-9a
TiS 636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / URW076 / 82Hml-536 God has spoken to his people alleluia (Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for God. VU and WoV have gender inclusive language for God: "God has spoken to the people… and those words are / God has spoken words of wisdom". WoV also has the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah ora hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" and would be great to sing; and it's the original words!
TiS 162 / AHB 114 Thank you for giving me the morning (de Haas) Good for little kids. Needs a key change or two as you go.
Psalm 31:9-16
GC42 Abba Abba I Put My Life in Your Hands / Pongo mi Vida (Haas) Spanish and English lyrics for this simple version of Psalm 31. Sheet music and lyrics. Sound sample.
TiS 19 / Iona (PPP&P) / ATOK 339 In you O Lord I found refuge (Bell) A simple cantor and response Psalm. Really brief sound sample.
URW256 Make your face to shine upon your servant (Wilkey) Spoken responsive psalm with refrains. It is not really simple, but worth working on.
Ps Project Into Your Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very very very very simple chant. Lyrics and sound sample (you need to choose the song you want).
CP517 / W&R503 O God your constant care and love (Lanier) Quite good words about God's presence with us through our lives. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and tune sample.
CH393 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (Bonhoeffer) Excellent words of our need for God, God's suffering, and God's generosity. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and a number of translations. I much prefer the Church Hymnary version to the translations in TiS240 and AHB182.
CH725 Today I live one day shall come my death An unusual theme remarking on the inevitability of death and that we have no need to fear it. Lovely tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*TiS 682 / ATW 490 / GA236 / AA151 When human voices cannot sing (Murray) Lovely words of healing in the face of grief. I prefer this sung to ST COLUMBA, which is the tune in GA and TiS. Lyrics (loads a word document)
StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 You Are All We Have (O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different sound sample.
Philippians 2:5-11
TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially.
Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
TiS 341 / AHB 257 / NCH222 / CH399 / VU143 / WoV661 / LBW094 / ELW782 / SFFS 2083 / HPP329 PH076 / CP184 / CP(E) 112 / Srce2-426 / 82Hml-458 My song is love unknown (Crossman) I really love this old and beautiful song. I prefer it sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. Lyrics.
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
*Tune In O Spirit God to you we pray / In the shape of a cross (Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
See suggestions for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
TiS 636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / URW076 / 82Hml-536 God has spoken to his people alleluia (Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for God. VU and WoV have gender inclusive language for God: "God has spoken to the people… and those words are / God has spoken words of wisdom". WoV also has the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah ora hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" and would be great to sing; and it's the original words!
TiS 162 / AHB 114 Thank you for giving me the morning (de Haas) Good for little kids. Needs a key change or two as you go.
Psalm 31:9-16
GC42 Abba Abba I Put My Life in Your Hands / Pongo mi Vida (Haas) Spanish and English lyrics for this simple version of Psalm 31. Sheet music and lyrics. Sound sample.
TiS 19 / Iona (PPP&P) / ATOK 339 In you O Lord I found refuge (Bell) A simple cantor and response Psalm. Really brief sound sample.
URW256 Make your face to shine upon your servant (Wilkey) Spoken responsive psalm with refrains. It is not really simple, but worth working on.
Ps Project Into Your Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very very very very simple chant. Lyrics and sound sample (you need to choose the song you want).
CP517 / W&R503 O God your constant care and love (Lanier) Quite good words about God's presence with us through our lives. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and tune sample.
CH393 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (Bonhoeffer) Excellent words of our need for God, God's suffering, and God's generosity. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and a number of translations. I much prefer the Church Hymnary version to the translations in TiS240 and AHB182.
CH725 Today I live one day shall come my death An unusual theme remarking on the inevitability of death and that we have no need to fear it. Lovely tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*TiS 682 / ATW 490 / GA236 / AA151 When human voices cannot sing (Murray) Lovely words of healing in the face of grief. I prefer this sung to ST COLUMBA, which is the tune in GA and TiS. Lyrics (loads a word document)
StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 You Are All We Have (O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different sound sample.
Philippians 2:5-11
TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially.
Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
TiS 341 / AHB 257 / NCH222 / CH399 / VU143 / WoV661 / LBW094 / ELW782 / SFFS 2083 / HPP329 PH076 / CP184 / CP(E) 112 / Srce2-426 / 82Hml-458 My song is love unknown (Crossman) I really love this old and beautiful song. I prefer it sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. Lyrics.
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
*Tune In O Spirit God to you we pray / In the shape of a cross (Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
See suggestions for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Songs and Hymns for Easter 2A (May 1, 2011)
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Paul testifies! Repeat something from Easter....
*Tune In: God is walking in the garden (Brown) A gentle song perfect for Easter. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
*TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 Jesus Christ is waiting (Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit).
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 720 / AHB 295 / aoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many & Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / RS 396 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional Caribbean) Excellent – simple, great for kids, good rhythm. And Easter deserves many Hallelujahs! Sound sample.
*TiS 370 / AHB 290 / NCH367 / CH411 / UMH302 / VU157 / LBW128 / ELW369 / G(II)315 / GC437 / GC(II)439 / RS602 / CP206 Christ the Lord is risen today (Wesley) (Llanfair) It's not quite Easter without this hymn, but be aware that the lyrics vary widely between hymnals. TiS is good, although some may not like the Kingly language. If you want fully inclusive language, the NCH has good lyrics. An example of lyrics and tune.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON).
*TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / HPP203 / HPSS122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating. A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune.
*TiS 753 / StS034 / R185 / ELW525 You are holy you are whole A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics in English, Spanish, Swedish and a sound sample.
*TiS 367 / AHB 287 / NCH242 / CH412 / UMH306 / VU159 / LBW135 / ELW366 / HPSS119 / GC446 / GC(II)459 / CP212 The strife is o'er the battle done There are two possible tunes for this hymn. I prefer to sing this hymn to the tune by James Minchin (THE STRIFE IS O’ER), which is found in the Australian Hymn Book, rather than the more traditional minstrellish VULPIUS. The newer tune is pretty groovy (I loved it as a kid!), and has lots and lots of alleluias. The words also vary a lot between hymnals. So, the best would be a combination of the TiS words and the AHB tune 287 (ii).
*ATW 445 Roll the rock It’s a bit silly, but very joyous, catchy and good for the kids.
Psalm 16
Refuge in God who shows us life
*MV123 Day after day night afer night (Bauman / Good) A lovely simple chant or Psalm refrain.
*TiS 547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / UMH451 / VU642 / WoV776 / ELW793 / HPP353 / PH339 / CP505 / CP(E) 386 / W&R502 / Cha595 / Srce70 / URW180 / 82Hml-488 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (8th century Irish) Most recent hymnals are fairly inclusive in their language for this. Please note that the High King imagery is quite important in terms of Irish history. This has been changed in some hymnals because it is masculine, but the hymn is based on an ancient story of St. Patrick refusing to follow the High King Logaire, but choosing instead the "High King of Heaven". Probably worth telling this story to your congregation if you choose this song. Lyrics, tune and a little of the story.
*AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (O'Hara) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really.
*TiS 571 / AHB 480 / CH529 / UMH438 / VU416 / CP467 / CP(E) 430 / W&R718 Forth in thy name O Lord I go A nice old minstrelly tune, and timeless words about committing all our works to God. Lyrics.
*CH656 / VU477 / PH507 / CP060 / CP(E) 305 / W&R706 / Cha420 / SP217 / URW120 I come with joy a child of God (Wren) A good and jubilant communion hymn.
StJ / G(II)22 / GC23 / GC(II)18 Keep Me Safe O God (Foley) Simple cantor and response "Keep me safe O God. You are my hope, you are my hope, O God". Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
*TiS 613 / AHB546 / ATOK 405 / NCH211 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / SFFS 2197 / HPP265 / GC578/ GC(II)560 / CP506 / CP(E)507 / W&R469 / URW179 / 82HmL-482 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy (Struther) Beautiful words, which I prefer to sing to the well known Irish tune SLANE. Would be a good choice for the final song. Not all hymnals are inclusive. Lyrics. Tune sample.
VU737/8 Protect me God: I trust in you (Strover) Simple refrain
*TiS 381 / AHB 302 / NCH232 / CH415 / VU177 / WoV676 / LBW149 / ELW391 / GC434 / CP(E) 161 / W&R308 / 82Hml-192 This joyful Eastertide (Woodward) A good old traditional hymn. Lyrics and sound sample.
G(II)23 / GC24 / GC(II)19 / URW235 You Will Show Me the Path of Life (Haugen) Simple cantor and response "You will show me the path of life, you my hope and my shelter, in your presence is endless joy and your sight is my hope forever". Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
1 Peter 1:3-9
Salvation our inheritance
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids.
*TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Maquiso / Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / PH268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens There are many possible tunes to these excellent words. I like HOLY MANNA best (NCH 376). A particularly good hymn for the start of a new year, too. “May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavour, well begun: great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one”. Lyrics and midi sample of HOLY MANNA.
*TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
*TiS 164 / AHB 105 / CH358 The great love of God (Niles) A simple creed song from the Christian Conference of Asia. The tune is really beautiful.
*TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
*Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
TiS 489 / CH635 / UMH610 / VU448 / LBW189 / ELW449 / PH495 / Cha376 / 82Hml-296 We know that Christ is raised and dies no more (Geyer) The words are a good statement of faith, and the tune ENGELBERG is not hard. Make sure people get the 2nd line, and the rest will be great. This is one of those tunes that sounds like it's not really finished. Just be confident about it and let it ring. Lyrics and tune.
John 20:19-31 (Doubting Thomas)
*NCH249 / GA517 Peace I leave with you my friends (Norbert) Slow, simple and excellent words. A congregation will pick this up the first time through, I think.
*TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting. An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids. If you missed the Thomas verse at Easter (or missed singing this song), you could sing it this week instead.
ATOK 343 When disciples were frightened / Jesus come and stand among us (Mann) Lyrics here.
FFS07 Bring peace to us (John Murray) A simple chant with two possible tunes. Both are good. The first is a round. "Bring peace to us, bring peace through us, O God bring peace"
*Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Gifts that Last")
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
*AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace").
*CH786 May the God of peace go with us (Jamieson) A lovely benediction to a traditional Scottish tune. "May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place; may the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace".
*GGives2 What does peace look like to you (Dyson) A really nice simple song for kids about peace. Lots of questions about what peace might mean from images of nature, to an end to war. The last verse talks about a "bridge from God to man" which could be changed to "bridge from God to us".
AHB 281 / NCH244 / CH431 / UMH317 / VU170 / LBW514 / ELW820 / HPSS116 / GC423 / GC(II)446 / CP228 O sons and daughters let us sing (O FILII ET FILIAE) Many versions and many verses. AHB has emphasis on Thomas verses, but Gather hymnals have some nice verses about the women finding Christ risen. This tune can be really pretty cool - either as plainchant, hymn or fairly majestic contemporary mass music. Listen to the sample of an altogether different version (with different words); search for GC(II)447 here.
NCH288 / UMH503 / Cha260 Let it breathe on me (Lewis-Butts) Simple song welcoming the Spirit. I get the feeling this could be tacky, but I don't think it needs to be.
*Seeds of Faith Peace Be With You (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple kids song about peace, and sharing peace. Sound sample and lyrics.
*Tune In Peace In Our Time (Brown) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and action for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample. Songbook.
*TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina
*ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) / Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name".
*Recorded music: Doubting Thomas (Nickel Creek) One of the most powerful songs I know about being a postmodern doubting but faithful Christian. Lyrics here
*Recorded music: I believe (Zehnder) A great laid-back song about finding it hard to believe in the midst of difficulty and the good times too. Sounds kind of like Sting, I think. "I believe, help my unbelief". Lyrics. Sound sample.
Paul testifies! Repeat something from Easter....
*Tune In: God is walking in the garden (Brown) A gentle song perfect for Easter. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Brown) A cry to God for help. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
*TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 Jesus Christ is waiting (Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit).
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 720 / AHB 295 / aoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many & Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / RS 396 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional Caribbean) Excellent – simple, great for kids, good rhythm. And Easter deserves many Hallelujahs! Sound sample.
*TiS 370 / AHB 290 / NCH367 / CH411 / UMH302 / VU157 / LBW128 / ELW369 / G(II)315 / GC437 / GC(II)439 / RS602 / CP206 Christ the Lord is risen today (Wesley) (Llanfair) It's not quite Easter without this hymn, but be aware that the lyrics vary widely between hymnals. TiS is good, although some may not like the Kingly language. If you want fully inclusive language, the NCH has good lyrics. An example of lyrics and tune.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON).
*TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / HPP203 / HPSS122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating. A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune.
*TiS 753 / StS034 / R185 / ELW525 You are holy you are whole A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics in English, Spanish, Swedish and a sound sample.
*TiS 367 / AHB 287 / NCH242 / CH412 / UMH306 / VU159 / LBW135 / ELW366 / HPSS119 / GC446 / GC(II)459 / CP212 The strife is o'er the battle done There are two possible tunes for this hymn. I prefer to sing this hymn to the tune by James Minchin (THE STRIFE IS O’ER), which is found in the Australian Hymn Book, rather than the more traditional minstrellish VULPIUS. The newer tune is pretty groovy (I loved it as a kid!), and has lots and lots of alleluias. The words also vary a lot between hymnals. So, the best would be a combination of the TiS words and the AHB tune 287 (ii).
*ATW 445 Roll the rock It’s a bit silly, but very joyous, catchy and good for the kids.
Psalm 16
Refuge in God who shows us life
*MV123 Day after day night afer night (Bauman / Good) A lovely simple chant or Psalm refrain.
*TiS 547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / UMH451 / VU642 / WoV776 / ELW793 / HPP353 / PH339 / CP505 / CP(E) 386 / W&R502 / Cha595 / Srce70 / URW180 / 82Hml-488 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (8th century Irish) Most recent hymnals are fairly inclusive in their language for this. Please note that the High King imagery is quite important in terms of Irish history. This has been changed in some hymnals because it is masculine, but the hymn is based on an ancient story of St. Patrick refusing to follow the High King Logaire, but choosing instead the "High King of Heaven". Probably worth telling this story to your congregation if you choose this song. Lyrics, tune and a little of the story.
*AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (O'Hara) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really.
*TiS 571 / AHB 480 / CH529 / UMH438 / VU416 / CP467 / CP(E) 430 / W&R718 Forth in thy name O Lord I go A nice old minstrelly tune, and timeless words about committing all our works to God. Lyrics.
*CH656 / VU477 / PH507 / CP060 / CP(E) 305 / W&R706 / Cha420 / SP217 / URW120 I come with joy a child of God (Wren) A good and jubilant communion hymn.
StJ / G(II)22 / GC23 / GC(II)18 Keep Me Safe O God (Foley) Simple cantor and response "Keep me safe O God. You are my hope, you are my hope, O God". Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
*TiS 613 / AHB546 / ATOK 405 / NCH211 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / SFFS 2197 / HPP265 / GC578/ GC(II)560 / CP506 / CP(E)507 / W&R469 / URW179 / 82HmL-482 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy (Struther) Beautiful words, which I prefer to sing to the well known Irish tune SLANE. Would be a good choice for the final song. Not all hymnals are inclusive. Lyrics. Tune sample.
VU737/8 Protect me God: I trust in you (Strover) Simple refrain
*TiS 381 / AHB 302 / NCH232 / CH415 / VU177 / WoV676 / LBW149 / ELW391 / GC434 / CP(E) 161 / W&R308 / 82Hml-192 This joyful Eastertide (Woodward) A good old traditional hymn. Lyrics and sound sample.
G(II)23 / GC24 / GC(II)19 / URW235 You Will Show Me the Path of Life (Haugen) Simple cantor and response "You will show me the path of life, you my hope and my shelter, in your presence is endless joy and your sight is my hope forever". Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
1 Peter 1:3-9
Salvation our inheritance
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids.
*TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Maquiso / Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / PH268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens There are many possible tunes to these excellent words. I like HOLY MANNA best (NCH 376). A particularly good hymn for the start of a new year, too. “May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavour, well begun: great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one”. Lyrics and midi sample of HOLY MANNA.
*TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
*TiS 164 / AHB 105 / CH358 The great love of God (Niles) A simple creed song from the Christian Conference of Asia. The tune is really beautiful.
*TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
*Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
TiS 489 / CH635 / UMH610 / VU448 / LBW189 / ELW449 / PH495 / Cha376 / 82Hml-296 We know that Christ is raised and dies no more (Geyer) The words are a good statement of faith, and the tune ENGELBERG is not hard. Make sure people get the 2nd line, and the rest will be great. This is one of those tunes that sounds like it's not really finished. Just be confident about it and let it ring. Lyrics and tune.
John 20:19-31 (Doubting Thomas)
*NCH249 / GA517 Peace I leave with you my friends (Norbert) Slow, simple and excellent words. A congregation will pick this up the first time through, I think.
*TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting. An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids. If you missed the Thomas verse at Easter (or missed singing this song), you could sing it this week instead.
ATOK 343 When disciples were frightened / Jesus come and stand among us (Mann) Lyrics here.
FFS07 Bring peace to us (John Murray) A simple chant with two possible tunes. Both are good. The first is a round. "Bring peace to us, bring peace through us, O God bring peace"
*Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Gifts that Last")
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
*AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace").
*CH786 May the God of peace go with us (Jamieson) A lovely benediction to a traditional Scottish tune. "May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place; may the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace".
*GGives2 What does peace look like to you (Dyson) A really nice simple song for kids about peace. Lots of questions about what peace might mean from images of nature, to an end to war. The last verse talks about a "bridge from God to man" which could be changed to "bridge from God to us".
AHB 281 / NCH244 / CH431 / UMH317 / VU170 / LBW514 / ELW820 / HPSS116 / GC423 / GC(II)446 / CP228 O sons and daughters let us sing (O FILII ET FILIAE) Many versions and many verses. AHB has emphasis on Thomas verses, but Gather hymnals have some nice verses about the women finding Christ risen. This tune can be really pretty cool - either as plainchant, hymn or fairly majestic contemporary mass music. Listen to the sample of an altogether different version (with different words); search for GC(II)447 here.
NCH288 / UMH503 / Cha260 Let it breathe on me (Lewis-Butts) Simple song welcoming the Spirit. I get the feeling this could be tacky, but I don't think it needs to be.
*Seeds of Faith Peace Be With You (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple kids song about peace, and sharing peace. Sound sample and lyrics.
*Tune In Peace In Our Time (Brown) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and action for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample. Songbook.
*TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina
*ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) / Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name".
*Recorded music: Doubting Thomas (Nickel Creek) One of the most powerful songs I know about being a postmodern doubting but faithful Christian. Lyrics here
*Recorded music: I believe (Zehnder) A great laid-back song about finding it hard to believe in the midst of difficulty and the good times too. Sounds kind of like Sting, I think. "I believe, help my unbelief". Lyrics. Sound sample.
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